Fuel dispenser

ABSTRACT

A fuel dispenser comprises a housing, a fuel dispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensing apparatus having control electronics, at least one touch display mounted in the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics, the touch display being configured to allow a user to make selections for conducting a transaction, a nozzle operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus and a camera operatively coupled to the fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics. The at least one of the camera and the touch display being configured to detect the presence of a user without the user physically touching the fuel dispenser, and in response to detecting the presence of the user, the fuel dispenser control electronics activates the at least one display so that instructions are presented to the user.

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/956,072, filed Aug. 15, 2007, entitled FUELDISPENSER, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by referenceherein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensers and, more particularly, tofueling stations having advanced dispenser systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, traditional fuel dispensers have evolved into elaboratepoint-of-sale (PoS) devices having sophisticated control electronics anduser interfaces with larger displays and easier-to-use user interfaces.The fuel dispensers may include various types of payment means, such ascard readers and cash acceptors, to expedite and further enhance fuelingtransactions. Further, customers are not limited to the purchase of fuelat these dispensers. Newer dispensers allow the customer to purchaseservices, such as car washes, and goods, such as fast food orconvenience store products. Once purchased, the customer needs only pickup the goods and services at the station store or the outlet of avending machine.

In addition to local transactions, various types of information servicesare being provided at the fuel dispenser. In particular,Internet-related services are now being provided at the fuel dispenser.These services range from allowing customers to view various web pagesto obtain desired information to supplying predefined advertisinginformation to the customer via local or remote content servers.Unfortunately, the vast majority of fuel dispensers already in existenceinclude displays and associated input devices that are insufficient forsupporting web-based interaction. Further, many of the fuel dispensersfail to include the necessary control electronics to readily supportsuch interaction.

Retail sales systems must also provide convenience for the customer andefficiency for the retailer. Credit and debit cards provide retailerswith one mechanism for increasing the efficiency of retail salessystems, while providing a level of convenience to consumers. Indeed,credit card and debit card transactions are ubiquitous, with a varietyof retail equipment providing such capability. A given retailer ormerchant is effectively obligated to provide credit transactioncapability because it is so widely expected. A growing number ofcustomers own cellular telephones and, in particular, own digitalcellular telephones. Digital cellular telephones are distinguished fromtheir earlier generation analog counterparts in a number of ways. Onesignificant distinction of the newer digital cellular phones is theirintrinsic communications security. As such, these digital cellularphones are suitable for use in transaction processing, wherein acustomer may transmit certain information, including their PIN, toeffect a given retail transaction. Further, using a customer's digitalcellular telephone as an integral part of a retail transaction system isconsistent with the desire to provide customers with ever moreconvenient retail transactions.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide retail systems capable ofcommunicating certain transaction information to a cellular network forthe purpose of obtaining transaction authorization, with suchinformation sent through a customer cellular telephone.

Retail environments, such as gas stations and convenience stores, usefuel dispensers for completing transactions associated with purchases ofgoods and services. These fuel dispensers include user interfaces thatallow customers to interact with the fuel dispensers. User interfaces atfuel dispensers typically include a display that provides a customerwith information associated with a purchase transaction. Thisinformation can include an itemized listing of the products or servicespurchased and a total amount for the sale. The information presented canalso include a prompt to the user for payment information. The promptfor payment information can include a request for account or otherinformation required to complete the purchase transaction.

A customer interacts with the fuel terminal to initiate a transactionand to respond to information prompts using an input device, such as atouch screen, keypad, or pointing device. The input device provides thefuel dispenser with information from the customer that allows the fueldispenser to process the transaction. This information is typically inthe form of payment information, such as account information andpersonal identification numbers (PINs). Account number readers, such ascard readers and interrogators, are used to retrieve some of theprocessing information, but PINs are usually entered manually by a userto ensure that the user is authorized to use the account informationthat is presented for payment.

However, fuel dispensers are typically open to view by bystanders.“Shoulder surfing” is a term that identifies a bystander thatpurposefully attempts to view the information on a display of a fueldispenser or attempts to view a PIN entered on an input device by acustomer of a fuel dispenser. Shoulder surfers can memorize the locationof input keys and can easily interpret keystrokes at a fuel dispenserfrom a short distance without electronic equipment. Shoulder surfing hasalso become more advanced as perpetrators use binoculars and cameras inan attempt to obtain information about a customer's account withoutdetection from more remote locations. By use of advanced surveillanceequipment, shoulder surfers can obtain private information aboutcustomers of fuel dispensers virtually without detection. Shouldersurfing subjects customers of fuel dispensers to theft of identifyinginformation associated with payment accounts and PINs.

Additionally, keypads of fuel dispensers wear out over time due tocontinuous and repeated action of their keys by customers. Conventionalkeypads are mechanical in nature. With use, the contacts within a keypadmay also corrode and lose their conductivity. As such, fuel dispensersare plagued with a costly replacement schedule for user interfacekeypads. Accordingly, an approach for prevention of fraud at fueldispensers is needed. Additionally, reduction in maintenance costs foruser interface keypads of fuel dispensers is also needed.

Finally, prior art fuel dispensers include speakers that allow the userto hear advertisements and that also allow the attendant in theconvenience store to speak to a customer. However, prior art speakersare loud and omni-directional so that sound from one dispenserinterferes with sound generated from another dispenser. Therefore, aneed exists for a dispenser that has a directional speaker that does notinterfere with other customers at adjacent dispensers, and that alsoallows private communications to occur without others listening.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention recognizes and addresses disadvantages of priorart constructions and methods, and it is an object of the presentinvention to provide a fuel dispenser comprising a housing, a fueldispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensingapparatus having control electronics, at least one touch display mountedin the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics, thetouch display being configured to allow a user to make selections forconducting a transaction, and a nozzle operatively coupled to the fueldispensing apparatus. The fuel dispenser is configured to detect thepresence of a user without the user physically touching the fueldispenser, and in response to detecting the presence of the user, thefuel dispensing apparatus control electronics activates the at least onedisplay.

In some embodiments, the fuel dispenser is configured to presentinstructions to the user for carrying out a transaction when the userphysically contacts the fuel dispenser. In some embodiments, thetransaction is a fuel dispensing transaction. In other embodiments, thetransaction is a purchase from a convenience store associated with thefuel dispenser. In yet other embodiments, the transaction is a purchasefrom an unrelated internet site.

In one embodiment, the at least one touch display is a capacitive typetouch display that is configured to detect the presence of a user. Inother embodiments, the fuel dispenser further comprises a camera fordetecting the presence of the user.

In another embodiment, a fuel dispenser comprises a housing, a fueldispensing apparatus mounted within the housing, the fuel dispensingapparatus having control electronics, at least one touch display mountedin the housing and operatively coupled to the control electronics, thetouch display being configured to allow a user to make selections forconducting a transaction, a nozzle operatively coupled to the fueldispensing apparatus and a camera operatively coupled to the fueldispensing apparatus control electronics. The at least one of the cameraand the touch display being configured to detect the presence of a userwithout the user physically touching the fuel dispenser, and in responseto detecting the presence of the user, the fuel dispenser controlelectronics activates the at least one display so that instructions arepresented to the user.

In some embodiments, the dispenser apparatus control electronics areconfigured to deactivate the at least one display once the user is nolonger detected in the proximity of the fuel dispenser. In otherembodiments, a detector is operatively coupled to the fuel dispenserapparatus control electronics and configured to detect if the nozzle isbrought into close proximity to the at least one touch display. If thenozzle is brought into close proximity to the display, the fueldispenser blanks out the at least one touch display when the nozzle isdetected in close proximity to the at least one touch display so as toprevent the user from touching the at least one touch display with thenozzle.

In another embodiment, a method of operating a fuel dispenser, comprisesthe steps of detecting the presence of a customer who has not physicallytouched the fuel dispenser, monitoring at least one input device coupledto the fuel dispenser, turning on a backlight of a display that is partof the fuel dispenser when the user engages the fuel dispenser,capturing an input from at least one input device, determining anidentity of the user based on the input, and displaying data on thedisplay that is specifically configured based on the identity of theuser. In one embodiment, the step of capturing input comprises capturinga video image of the user. In some embodiments, the step of determiningan identity of the user further comprises using a facial recognitionprogram to determine the identity of the user. In some embodiments, themethod further comprises the step of authorizing a transaction based onthe determination of the identity of the user. In other embodiments, thestep of determining an identity of the user further comprises usingvideo recognition techniques to identify specific characteristics of theuser, which are used in specifically configuring the data displayed onthe dispenser display. In some embodiments, the step of displaying dataspecifically configured based on the identity of the user furthercomprises displaying reminders for future events.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendeddrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fuel dispenser for use in anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the fuel dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the fuel dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of an embodiment of video electronics for usein the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a controller for use in the dispenserof FIG. 1 connected to other peripheral devices;

FIG. 6 is a representation of suitable graphics for one embodiment ofthe present invention for display by the dispenser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of displayed information for the dispenser ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of displayed information for the dispenser ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of a fueling station in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a nozzle in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a dispenser in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a fueling station in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a virtual input device for use in anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the virtual input device of FIG. 13.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elementsof the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodimentsof the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation ofthe invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variationscan be made in the present invention without departing from the scope orspirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations. Additional aspects andadvantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the descriptionwhich follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or maybe learned by practice of the invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a fuel dispenser 10 is shown having a generallyrectangular body, a fuel supply line 12 and a fuel nozzle 14 received bya holder on the dispenser body and connected to fuel supply line 12.Fuel nozzle 14 may also be representative of multiple fuel nozzles allconnected to the fuel dispenser. Dispenser 10 has a front side and aback side each being a duplicate of the other. In the followingdescription of one preferred embodiment, only the front side will bediscussed for ease of description. However, the features of the presentinvention may also be applied on the back side, thereby allowing thedispenser to be operated by two customers at the same time. It shouldalso be understood that dispenser 10 may only have displays and hoses ona single side, where multiple dispensers are placed together to form afilling position. Thus, the following description is presented as oneexample and should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to asingle embodiment.

The front side of dispenser 10 contains first and second display screens16 and 18, which are configured to present information to the user ofthe system. First and second display screens 16 and 18 may beconventional liquid crystal displays (“LCD”) and may include anassociated key pad or soft buttons positioned adjacent to the displays.However, in one preferred embodiment, the screens will generally includean integrated touch interface. A reader 20 may be mounted below secondscreen 18 along with a full size printer 22. A camera 24 is positionedtoward the top of dispenser 10 along with a speaker 26.

Referring to FIG. 4, a schematic for a basic control system and touchscreen display has a controller 32 coupled to memory 34, a video mixerand driver electronics 36, touch screen electronics 38, back-lightingcontrol electronics 40, graphics generator 42 and a video source 44.Graphics generator 42 provides graphics for display on touch screendisplays 16 and 18, and video source 44 provides running audio and/orvideo for displays 16 and 18. The video source may include, but is notlimited to, laser disks, DVD's, television, cable TV, satellite TV, theInternet and video cameras. Touch screen electronics 38 typicallyprovide signals to controller 20 indicative of where displays 16 and 18have been touched in order to differentiate customer inputs andselections. Touch interfaces are well known, and manufactures ofsuitable touch displays include TouchSystems Corporation of Hutto, Tex.and CyberTouch of Newbury Park, Calif. It should be understood that theschematic shown in FIG. 4 is for illustrative purposes only and thatother electronic layouts are contemplated by the present invention forcarrying out the described functionality.

Displays 16 and 18 and touch screen electronics 38 may be configured tooperate in a highly sensitive mode where the display and touch screenelectronics are able to sense changes in a field emitted from displays16 and 20 without requiring an actual touching of the display.Preferably, this field will extend up to several feet in front of thedisplay over a respective fueling position in front of dispenser 10. Inone preferred embodiment, displays 16 and 18 are capacitive touch screendisplays capable of operating at various frequencies to provide varioussensitivity levels, where increased frequencies typically provide highersensitivity. An exemplary capacitive touch screen display ismanufactured by Microtouch™ and can sense a customer coming within four(4) feet of the displays. Thus, in one preferred embodiment, controller32 could increase the frequency and, therefore, the display'ssensitivity between fueling operations in order to sense the approachand/or presence of a customer at the beginning of a new fuelingoperation. It should be understood that other suitable types of touchscreen technology may be used for displays 16 and 18.

Controller 32 may be adapted to control display back-lighting 46 throughback-lighting control electronics 40. Depending on the application, theback-lighting may be decreased from a nominal operating level or turnedcompletely off between fueling operations, to reduce heat and conserveenergy. Preferably, once a customer is detected within a relativeproximity to the fuel dispenser, the back-lighting is increased orturned on to the normal operating level in order to make the display'scontent readily visible to the customer as well as draw the customer'sattention to the displays.

One problem associated with touch screens at the dispenser occurs whenthe customer uses fueling nozzle 14 to make their selections on screen16 and 18 by touching the tip of the nozzle to the touch screen. Inorder to prevent the customer from touching the screen with the fuelingnozzle, displays 16 and 18, back light control electronics 40 or touchelectronics 38 may be coupled to a sensor that detects the presence of atag or associated electronics contained in nozzle 14. That is, whennozzle 14 is brought into close proximity to one of touch displays 16and 18, controller 32 may cause the displays to go blank to discouragethe customer from touching the screen with the nozzle. Other methods maybe used to detect when a customer is bringing the nozzle into closeproximity with one of the touch screens. For example, dispenser 10 mayinclude an RFID reader and nozzle 14 may include an RFID tag. Whichevermethod is used, the end result should be to blank out one or both ofdisplays 16 and 18 to dissuade the customer from touching the displayswith the nozzle. In addition to, or instead of blanking out the screen,dispenser 10 may be programmed to play an audible alarm when nozzle 14is brought into close proximity to displays 16 and 18.

Referring to FIG. 5, controller 32 may read data from reader 20, whichmay include one or more of a magnetic strip reader, an RFID tag reader,a finger print reader, a retina scanner or any other suitable data entrydevice, and communicate the information to a service-station-basedcontroller, such as a G-site controller (not shown in the figure) soldby Gilbarco, Inc. of Greensboro, N.C. The service station basedcontroller generally communicates with a remote credit card or otherinformation verification authority to ascertain whether a transactionmay be authorized. In one embodiment, controller 32 is comparable to themicroprocessor based control systems used in CRIND (card reader in thedispenser) and TRIND (tag or transponder reader in the dispenser) typeunits sold by Gilbarco, Inc. under the trademark THE ADVANTAGE. However,it should be understood that controller 32 may be any type of controllersuitable to carry out the functionality as described herein.

Controller 32 is also coupled to printer 22, which may be configured toprint transaction information, unrelated fuel purchase information, mapdata, driving directions, and other information obtained by the userduring the fueling process. Printer 22 may be a full sized laserprinter, inkjet printer or other suitable black and white or colorprinter. The printer is positioned in dispenser 10 so that the output ofthe printer exits from the front side of the dispenser. Printer 22 mayalso be configured to print on various sized papers depending on thesubject matter being printed, which may be sheet fed or roller fed.

Controller 32 may also be coupled to camera 24 located above displays 16and 18 and speaker 26. Camera 24 may be used to detect the presences andidentity of a customer, and may be used instead of, or in addition to,displays 16 and 18 and proximity sensor 48 for sensing the proximity ofa user. Notably, when displays 16 and 18, camera 24 and a proximitysensor 48 are used, controller 32 may be configured to monitor therelative proximity of a customer measured by each of these components todetermine the relative location of the customer with respect to thedispenser. This information may be used to control the viewing angle ondisplays 16 and 18 and/or to change fonts or text sizes accordingly toenhance visibility. In particular, the control system can determine whena customer was more proximate to the right of the displays and adjustthe viewing angle of the display to better allow the customer to viewthe displays by changing font size, font type, brightness, polarizationof the screen or by any other known methods of adjusting viewing angleof a display. Likewise, these components may be used to determine theheight and other characteristics of the customer so that the verticalviewing angle of the display may be adjusted in accordance with thedetected characteristics.

Each display may include its own control system or operate inconjunction with a single control system adapted to operate bothdisplays on a single side of the dispenser. Additionally, the controlsystem may also be configured to operate the displays associated witheach side of the dispenser. In a preferred configuration, each dispenser10 acts as client capable of interacting with a network of servers.Controller 32 and associated user interfaces are preferably designed tominimize the hardware commitment necessary at each dispenser, whilehaving sufficient capability to establish interactivity with the user.Most computer intensive functions are provided as services from variouslocal 104 and remote servers 112 (FIG. 12).

Although certain functions and services may be run at the dispenser,most functions dealing with customer transactions, informationdissemination and advertising or merchandising are preferably performedas services performed remotely and accessed by dispenser 10. The browsersoftware for each client has the ability to request services eitherlocally or remotely, via the Internet or similar network. Certainservices may be automatically requested by the browser at eachdispenser, while others await responses by a customer. One example of adistributed fuel dispenser system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,052,629 entitled “Internet Capable Browser Dispenser Architecture”assigned to Gilbarco Inc., the entire disclosure hereby beingincorporated by reference herein, which describes an interactive fueldispenser system having a graphical interface through which a customerinteracts with the dispenser. Because the dispenser is Internet capable,the majority of the computing power is centralized and the dispenserneed only connect to the remote severs where the information is storedand processed.

Referring to FIG. 6, fuel dispenser 10 uses one or more of touch displayscreens 16 and 18, camera 24 and proximity sensor 48 to detect thepresence of a customer at the dispenser. At step 45, the process beginsby controller 32 causing control light circuit 40 to reduce thebacklighting of displays 16 and 20 when a customer is not detected. Atstep 48, once the presence of a customer is detected, controller 32monitors the dispenser input devices to determine if a customer engagesthe dispenser at step 49. If a customer engages the dispenser,controller 32 causes control light circuit 40 to turn on the displaybacklighting at step 51 and camera 24 to capture a picture of thecustomer, at step 50. At step 52, controller 32 activates a videorecognition program stored in memory 34 to process the customer's imagedata captured by camera 24 to determine certain characteristics of thecustomer. If the customer meets certain characteristics, for example isgreater than five feet tall, then controller 32 configures displays 16and 18, at step 54, as shown in FIG. 7. Otherwise, displays 16 and 18are configured, at step 56, as shown in FIG. 8.

A video recognition software program uses images captured by camera 24of the customer and analyzes the images using conventional digitalimaging techniques to determine certain characteristics of the customer,for example the height of the person standing proximate to dispenser 10.Captured images may also be used by facial recognition software todetermine the identity of the customer for authorizing a transaction.One example of suitable facial recognition software is FaceIntellectmanufactured by ITV Group of New York, N.Y. However, it should beunderstood that many other suitable facial recognition software programsmay be used to identify customers and associate customer preferences andcustomer specific information with their identities.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, display screens 16 and 18 are illustratedshowing exemplary subject matter that may be displayed to the customer.Referring specifically to FIG. 7, displays 16 and 18 are configured todisplay information to, for example, a person over the height of fivefeet tall. That is, the details of the particular transaction aredisplayed at 58, a touch keypad at 60 and the product selector keys 62and 64 are all displayed on top display 16 at a height suitable for acustomer over five feet tall. In addition to the transaction details, aloyalty screen 66 and advertisements 68 and 70 are displayed inaccordance with either the customer's preferences or with products thatare available at the station. It should be understood that theadvertising can also contain subject matter related to advertising bythird party vendors not affiliated with the service station.

In addition to transaction information and advertising, the display mayalso be configured to display reminder information 72 relevant to thecustomer, for example a spouse's birthday as well as reminders to make ahotel reservation for the event. Finally, a central shopping andinformation window 74 may be displayed that allows the customer tochoose particular grocery items and general information. Display 18 maybe configured to display a television channel 76 based on predefinedcustomer preferences. In addition, a media center bar 80 may bepositioned at the bottom of the screen to allow the customer to quicklyswitch between channels of interest. At 78, information about thecustomer's lifestyle, for example travel plans may be displayed.Finally, at 82, a closed circuit television may display the fueling areaso that the customer may focus their attention on displays 16 and 18 andnot on their surroundings.

Referring to FIG. 8, if dispenser 10 detects the presence of a customerunder a predetermined height, for example five feet tall, the dispenserautomatically reconfigures the information displayed on displays 16 and18 to place interactive information in a position that is easilyreachable for customers of smaller stature or wheel chair bound. Thus,as shown in the figure, touch pad 60 and product selection panels 62 and64 are moved to the bottom of display 16 so that these panels are easilyreachable by the customer. Once the customer enters the necessaryinformation to authorize a transaction and a product is selected, thesystem can dynamically reconfigure the information back to that shown inFIG. 7. In the alternative, the system may be set up to allow the userto touch a portion of the screen to cause the information to reconfigureitself back to that shown in FIG. 8. Because information is displayed ontwo touch screens, using software the information can be displayed in avariety of layouts and configurations where certain information isplaced in an easily accessible location when it requires immediateinput.

Still referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a customer's preference may be used topopulate the information on displays 16 and 18. In particular, there aremultiple patents describing dispensers that incorporate customerpreference and loyalty programs in the presentment of information at adispenser. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,098,879 and 6,422,464 bothentitled “Fuel Dispensing System Providing Customer Preferences” andboth assigned to Gilbarco Inc., the entire disclosures hereby beingincorporated by reference herein, describe a fuel dispenser thatautomatically provides predefined customer preferences during fuelingbased on information contained on a transponder. Preferences aretypically selected by a customer and associated with the transponderassigned to the customer. In yet another example, U.S. Pat. No.6,813,609 entitled “Loyalty Rewards for Cash Customers at a FuelDispensing System” assigned to Gilbarco Inc., the entire disclosurehereby being incorporated by reference herein, describes a system forproviding loyalty rewards for cash customers by providing a transponderthat associates predefined preferences with a cash customer.

Each of the above Gilbarco, Inc. patents describes systems that allowcustomer preferences to be recognized by a fuel dispenser. It should beunderstood to those of skill in the art that user preference can also bepredefined and tied to a customer's credit card number, customer loyaltynumber or any other user identification that can be read or accepted byfuel dispenser 10. For example, if reader 20 includes a fingerprint orretina scanner, user preference can be tied to these identifiers suchthat when a customer identity is determined by a fingerprint scan, theuser's preferences are downloaded by fuel dispenser 10 and used topopulate the information presented on displays 16 and 18. In otherembodiments for example, a customer may have an identification code, anelectronic device such as a BLUETOOTH enabled phone or other device thatallows the identity of the customer to be obtained so that the fuelingexperience is tailored to that specific customer.

In addition to using the customer's height information to adjust thepresentation of information on displays 16 and 18, controller 32 mayalso adjust the viewing angle of the displays 16 and 18 by monitoringthe video image of the customer and calculating the relative customerlocation based on the received image. Once the customer's generallocation is detected or determined with respect to the dispenser,controller 32 may change the video/graphic display, change back-lightinglevels, and preferably adjust the viewing angle based on customerlocation. In addition to the methods described above for changing theviewing angles of the displays, the viewing angle may be mechanicallyadjusted by mounting small servo motors to the back of displays 16 and18 that move the displays accordingly to optimize the viewing angle.Controller 32 may continue to monitor the customer's location throughoutthe fueling operation, and if a change in location is detected,controller 32 will determine whether the fueling operation is at an end.The end of a fueling operation may be determined by sensing the nozzlehandle being pulled down (through the use of accelerometers located inthe nozzle as explained below), detecting the placement of the nozzleback into the dispenser, or sensing the end of fuel delivery. When theend of a fueling operation is detected a different video message may bedisplayed alone or in conjunction with audio messages.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9, speaker26 may consist of one or more highly directional speakers. Highlydirectional speakers are ideal in audio applications that requirefocused, high quality sound over long distances, as for example in afueling environment where ambient noise can interfere with thecustomer's ability to hear messages presented by the dispenser.Additionally, in prior art systems, cross talk between dispensers eitherinterfered with adjacent dispensers or allowed other customers to hearcustomer specific information provided over the speaker to anothercustomer. Thus, the use of highly directional speakers reduces soundinterference between adjacent dispensers and allows sound to be directedover a narrow cone 80 to the specific customer operating dispenser 10.Examples of suitable highly directional speakers are SOUND SHOWER andAUDIO ELEMENTS speakers manufactured by Panphonics Oy of Espoo, Finland.For example, the Panphonics AUDIO ELEMENT is a flat plane wave typespeaker that is designed to be used as an integrated component ofdispenser 10. In addition to an integrated speaker, the SOUND SHOWERspeakers are adapted to be mounted above the dispenser on a structure ofthe fueling bay.

In some embodiments, camera 24, as described above, may be used todetermine the proximate location of the customer with respect todispenser 10. By using this information, the direction of sound fromspeaker 26 may be adjusted. In particular, speaker 26 may be mounted onone or more servo motors that are configured to adjust the direction ofspeaker 26 by angling the speaker in the direction of the customer.Thus, as the customer moves around dispenser 10, controller 32determines the approximate location of the customer and adjusts thedirection of speaker 26 accordingly. In other embodiments, a SOUNDSHOWER speaker system 82 may be mounted above dispenser 10 either inconjunction with, or instead of, the AUDIO ELEMENTS speakers so that thesound is directed over a narrow span 84 directly in front of dispenser10. In this configuration, it would not be necessary to move the speakeras the customer moves around the dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 10, nozzle 14 has a first end 86 configured to fitinto the fuel opening of an automobile and a second end configured toattach to fuel delivery line 12. A fingerprint reader 30 may bepositioned on a handle 90 to allow the customer to be identified withouthaving to enter data on dispenser touch screens 16 and 18. It should beunderstood that fingerprint reader 30 may be replaced with any suitableinput device that allows the customer to enter data linking the customerto an account for payment or authorization of the transaction. Inaddition to authorizing the transaction, the information may also linkcertain preferences or data to be displayed on displays 16 and 18. Inaddition to reader 30, a fueling button 28 may be positioned on handle90 in an ergonomic position to allow the customer to easily cause fuelto be dispensed. Fueling button 28 may be a clear button thatilluminates red or green to indicate to the user that the dispenser isready for fueling. In the alternative, other light indicators may bemounted in nozzle 14 to indicate the status of the dispenser.Additionally, the lighted button may flash when the nozzle senses thatthe car's tank is almost full. Sensing that the tank is full may becarried out in many ways. For example, nozzle 14 may include sensors todetect the fuel level in the tank or dispenser 10 may receive a signalfrom the car's electronics that indicates the fuel tank size and/or theamount of gas necessary to fill the tank. In the alternative, nozzle 14may be equipped with a barcode reader or RFID reader that obtainsinformation from a barcode or RFID tag located proximate to the fuelingopening for obtaining fueling information for the specific car.

As mentioned above, nozzle 14 may include a position sensor to determinemovement of the nozzle with respect to a reference point or plane. Onesuch sensor includes an internal position, attitude or orientationsensor that can sense the position, attitude and/or orientation of thecontroller relative to the earth's gravitational force. Such a sensormay for example comprise a 3-axis accelerometer that can senseorientation (or changes in orientation) of nozzle 14 relative to thedirection of earth's gravitational pull. Examples of accelerometers maybe of the type available from Analog Devices, Inc. or STMicroelectronicsN.V. Preferably, the accelerometer is an electrostatic capacitance orcapacitance-coupling type that is based on silicon micro-machined MEMS(microelectromechanical systems) technology. However, any other suitableaccelerometer technology (e.g., piezoelectric type or piezoresistancetype) now existing or later developed may be used.

Referring to FIG. 11, the output of the accelerometer may be received bycontroller 32 and used for example as an input device for dispenser 10.For example, when a customer first pulls up to dispenser 10, one ofdisplays 16 and 18 may include graphics representative of a keyboard orinput buttons and the other of the displays may provide instructionstelling the customer to point the nozzle toward the screen and to movethe nozzle similar to a pointer toward the buttons without touching thescreen. In making these movements, dispenser controller 32 can readoutput signals from the accelerometer to determine the relative positionof nozzle 14 with respect to the input keys. Software algorithms ofconventional design can be used with output signals from theaccelerometer(s) to provide rough (x, y, z) position information inthree dimensions of the nozzle. Such relative position information (orsignals from which it can be derived) can be communicated to dispenser10 and used to control input requested on displays 16 and 18. Thus,customer input may be detected though movement of nozzle 14 so that atransaction can be carried out without the customer ever having to touchthe screens. Furthermore, once fuel has started to be dispensed,controller 32 can ignore output from the accelerometer with respect tothe displays and monitor the accelerometer output for a quick change innozzle position or orientation, alone or in combination with othersignals, indicative of the end of the fueling process.

Information obtained from nozzle 14, through reader 30, fuel button 28,the position sensor (accelerometer), etc. may be communicated tocontroller 32 either by hard wire through fuel supply line 12, radiowaves, electromagnetic waves, BLUETOOTH technology or any other suitablewireless technology. That is, nozzle 14 may have a transmitter, receiveror transceiver mounted within the nozzle that transmits information todispenser 10. In the case of a wireless connection, dispenser 10 wouldbe equipped with one or more of a transmitter 94, receiver 96 ortransceiver for transmitting and receiving information to and fromnozzle 14. The communication link between the nozzle and the dispensershould allow for bi-directional data transmission and reception.

Nozzle 14 may also contain a suitable power source 92 with or without abattery for powering the various sensors, transmitter, receiver,transceiver, etc. contained in the nozzle. Nozzle 14 may also includerecharging circuitry and optional energy coupling electronics to aid inrecharging the power source, i.e. battery. Energy may beelectromagnetically coupled to nozzle 14 from a transformer 98 locatedat or near the fuel dispenser. Preferably, recharging using theelectromagnetically-coupled energy occurs when the nozzle is mounted inthe dispenser. The power supply 70 may also be associated with an energycoupling system 82 adapted to provide remote power to the nozzle, ifnecessary, in order to power the electronics or recharge batteries. Thecoupling may be a direct electrical connection or an electromagnetic oroptical connection as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,184,308 and5,365,984, both to Simpson et al., the entire disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

Nozzle 14 may also contain an ant-bacterial or anti-microbial coating onhandle 90 to prevent or eliminate the growth of bacteria ormicroorganisms that can be transmitted from one customer to another. Forexample, handle 90 may include an antimicrobial component in the form ofan antimicrobial material integrally formed with or coated on thehandle. The material forming handle 90 may be an antimicrobial materialitself, or it may be a structural material impregnated or blended withan antimicrobial material. The antimicrobial material may also bechemically bound to the structural material, such as, for example, apolymer matrix having an antimicrobial material bound or complexedthereon.

In the form of coating, the coating may be connected to handle 90 by anumber of means, such as, for example, interference fit, snap fit,mechanically fastened, or overlaid onto the handle. Coatings may appliedby numerous techniques, including chemical vapor deposition, physicalvapor deposition, dip coating, electrochemical deposition, sputtering,mechanical methods of coating, or the like.

In other embodiments, the antimicrobial component may comprise an activeoxygen releasing material, active ozone, UV light, Halide gas, silverion, or Halide ion releasing material, an antimicrobial fluid, or aphotoactive material that exhibits antimicrobial properties when exposedto a light source. Materials may include a nonmetal halide; a nonmetaloxide, such as I2O5; a ceramic composite and a halide; water insolubleperoxide; or water insoluble superoxide, such as CuO, AgO, MgO2,sulfonated silver polymers, and combinations thereof. Other embodimentsare contemplated wherein the antimicrobial material comprises an activeozone releasing material, a UV light releasing material, a Halide gasreleasing material, a silver ion releasing material, a Halide ionreleasing material, or any other material, compound or combinationthereof capable of releasing an antimicrobial agent or exhibitingantimicrobial properties. The light source 34 may be separate from, orintegrated with handle 90. In one embodiment, the light source may be inthe form of an LED integrated into handle 90 such that, when the LED isilluminated, antimicrobial properties are imparted to the handle 32 bythe photosensitive material being exposed to the light from the LED.

In other embodiments, an antimicrobial handle 90 may be provided whereinthe antimicrobial component includes an ion generator in the form of anionic conducting arrangement in communication with handle 90. In thisarrangement, antimicrobial properties are imparted to handle 90 viageneration of ions through ionic conduction, wherein ions concentrate ona surface of handle 90. Ionic conducting materials suitable for thisarrangement may include Ag4PbI5, AgI—Al2O3 composite, PbI2 chlorideconductive compounds, iodine conductive compounds, fluoride conductivecompounds, or any other material, compound or combination of materialsor compounds capable of ionic conduction. Ionic conduction isfacilitated by a source potential that is preferably integrated intohandle 90. The source potential may also be a component separate fromhandle 90 and in communication therewith. Other forms of ion generatorsknown in the art can be implemented as well in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention to facilitate generation of ions toimpart antimicrobial properties to the handle 90.

Referring to FIG. 12, the fueling and retail environment is shownconstructed according to one embodiment of the present invention wherecustomers are provided the opportunity to purchase fuel for theirvehicles as well as other goods and services, such as fast food and carwashes. The fueling and retail environment may include one or more of aforecourt 101, where fuel dispensers 10 are located, a convenience orfuel station store 106, one or more quick-serve restaurants (QSR) 108and a car wash 110. Dispensers 10 are used in conjunction with a mainservice station store 100 operably connected to each dispenser 10 andfueling position 102 in addition to a local station server and controlsystem 104. Server and control system 104 are operationally associatedwith POS systems and/or transaction systems for convenience store 106and one or more quick service restaurants 108 and car wash 110 or otherservice provider. In one preferred embodiment, a customer at any offueling positions 102 of any of dispensers 10 may access local stationserver 104 or any number of remote servers 112, which are locatedoutside of the fuel station environment, via the Internet or similarnetwork 114. Dispenser 10 may have a direct Internet connection and/or adirect interactive connection to local server 104.

With regard to remote services, customers may be given the opportunityto order goods or services unavailable at the local station store, suchas movie tickets, air line tickets, rental cars, hotel information andother informational items. This is particularly useful for dispensersequipped with printers that can print the movie ticket or other printedinformation. Furthermore, the customer may download information, such asthe weather, traffic conditions, news reports or local maps that can beprinted or downloaded to mobile devices such as a cell phone, iPod orMP3 player. Having access to remote services also allows the stationowner to run remote advertising campaigns at each fueling position. Forexample, the browser at each client may automatically access one of theremote servers or preferably, the dispenser may be configured toautomatically access local server 104, which provides a link to thedesired remote services. Accessing local server 104 and linking toremote services minimizes the amount of customization required at eachdispenser and fueling position.

Convenience store 106 typically includes an inventory of a wideassortment of products, ranging from beverages and foods to householdgoods. The convenience store includes a transaction terminal or registerwhere a customer may purchase convenience store products, fuel, carwashes or QSR food. QSR 108 generally includes an order pick-up areahaving a QSR transaction terminal or register located within theconvenience store and a drive-through terminal and window. Depending onthe application, the QSR transaction terminal and drive-through terminalmay be separated or integrated in any fashion. Usually, customers areable to place orders at the QSR transaction terminal in the store aswell as pick up orders in conventional drive-through style atdrive-through terminal 36.

In order to make purchasing items in convenience store 106 and QSR 108more convenient for the customer, dispenser 10 may be configured toprovide a real-time view of the convenience store or QSR on one or moreof dispenser displays 16 and/or 18. In particular, referring again toFIG. 7, menu 74 may allow the customer to place dispenser 10 into areal-time shopping mode where the customer can navigate down the islesof convenience store 106 to select and purchase products while fuelingtheir automobile. In particular, cameras can be mounted throughout theconvenience store and configured so that their video feed is received bylocal station server and control electronics 104. Thus, by using touchscreens 16 and 18, the customer can navigate through the conveniencestore, make selections and pay for the items at the dispenser.

In one embodiment, predefined hand gestures can be programmed and loadedon local station server and controller 104 or on dispenser 10. Forexample, a gesture dictionary may take the form of a dedicated computerapplication that identifies a chord (e.g., a combination of fingers,thumbs, and/or other hand parts) presented to multi-touch displays 16and 18 by the customer. Thus, for example, the movement of thecustomer's thumb and pointer finger toward each other may cause thedisplayed image to zoom out, or the movement of the thumb and pointerfinger away from each other may cause the image to zoom in.Additionally, running the customer's pointer finger from right to leftmay cause the image to scan to the left or vis-à-vis. If the user wantsto scroll around to look at the shelves behind them, the user may rotatetheir pointer finger on the screen in a counterclockwise direction tocause the image to rotate as if the customer was standing in the storeand turning around. Examples of such gesturing as input on a touchscreen is taught and disclosed in the following patents, patentapplications and published patent applications: U.S. PublishedApplication No. 2007/0177803 entitled “Multi-Touch Gesture Dictionary,”published Aug. 7, 2007, U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,846, titled “Method andApparatus for Integrating Manual Input,” issued Nov. 27, 2001; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/840,862, titled “Multipoint Touchscreen,”filed May 6, 2004; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/903,964, titled“Gestures for Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jul. 30, 2004; U.S.patent application Ser. No. 10/038,590, titled “Mode-Based GraphicalUser Interfaces for Touch Sensitive Input Devices,” filed Jan. 18, 2005;U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,749, titled “Multi-FunctionalHand-Held Device,” filed Mar. 3, 2006; and U.S. Pat. No. 7,030,861,titled “System and Method for Packing Multi-Touch Gestures onto a Hand,”issued Apr. 18, 2006. U.S. published application Ser. No. 2007/0177804,titled “Multi-Touch Gesture Dictionary,” published Aug. 2, 2007, theentire disclosure of each of these patents, patent applications andpublished patent applications hereby being incorporated by referenceherein.

Once the customer completes their fuel purchase and purchase from theconvenience store or QSR, the customer may either enter the store topick up their items, pick up their purchased items at a drive throughwindow or have their purchase delivered by an employee of theconvenience store or QSR to the dispenser location. It should beunderstood that the dispenser system may be tied into the inventorysystem for the convenience store and CSR so that sales can be trackedand inventory reordered as sold.

In other embodiments, the fueling stations local server can be tied intoa remote system that detects the presence of an automobile entering theservice station forecourt. Upon detection of the automobile, the systemcan interact with the automobile's electronic systems to take control ofthe automobile so as to bring the car to an available dispenserlocation. New automobiles with a drive-by-wire system would allow forremote operation and steering of the car without input from thecustomer. For example, the parallel parking system in the Lexus LS460 isone example of a drive by wire system where the car's electronic systemtakes over operation of the car to automatically parallel-park the carin a vacant spot. In a similar fashion, wireless electronics can beconfigured to communicate with the car's computer so that a smartservice station can orchestrate the movement of cars through theforecourt to increase the safety of its customers walking through theforecourt.

In addition to the remote operation of cars entering and exiting theservice station through the use of the car's drive-by-wire system, thedispenser may also be configured to interact with the automobile'selectronic system so that a touch screen mounted in the car can serve asa touch sensitive input display for the dispenser. For example, throughRF communications, a BLUETOOTH connection or any other suitable wirelessconnection, information from the dispenser may be transmitted anddisplayed by the car's electronic system so that the customer may makeall selections from the comfort of their automobile. In addition todisplaying the transaction detail and information, advertising and otherservices may also be transmitted and displayed on the car's touch screensystem. In other embodiments, the fuel dispenser may contain a roboticarm that is controllable using the car's touch screen so that the totalfueling process can be controlled from inside the automobile. Thus,nozzle 14 may further include a camera integrated into the nozzle thatallows the customer to view the fueling port in the car as the nozzle isdirected toward the fueling port. Once the nozzle is inserted into thefueling port, the dispenser can switch modes and transmit advertising orother information to the car's touch screen for interaction with thecustomer. The use of a robotic arm can also be integrated into anautomated service station where the car is remotely moved into adispenser bay. In that way, the service station can properly orient thecar with respect to the dispenser so that predefined fueling portlocations for individual automobiles would allow the fueling arm toautomatically engage the nozzle with the fueling port on in the car.

In other embodiments, a virtual display system may be implemented indispenser 10. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, virtual display systemsproject a keyboard or other input device into the air or onto anothersurface and then monitor the virtual keyboard for a user's touch of thevirtual keys to detect the customer's desired input. For example, alaser system may be used that is capable of both scanning and projectinglaser light onto a surface that is secure with respect to viewing angle.Based on initial input provided by the customer either directly intodispenser 10 by reader 20 or indirectly by a wireless connection, thelaser system and software would dynamically present the required virtualkey layout based on the type of transaction, user preferences, ease ofuse, or other pre-defined parameters. The laser would be capable ofprojecting and auto focusing so that it can simultaneously project on anumber of surfaces with varying levels of distance, content, andrequired resolution, for example on the car window, door panel or anyother surface capable of receiving the projected laser light.

In one example, when a debit card is presented, the card readerrecognizes the need for pin pad verification and sends a signal to thelaser device. The laser device, through software, projects anappropriate keyboard for the user to input data such as a pin number.The location and distance of the projection surface may be at a fixeddistance so that the laser projector does not require focusing or may bepresented at any distance within a reasonable range over which afocusing mechanism can focus the laser output. If the surface thatreceives the projected light is polarized, then it may limit viewing ofthe projected input device at certain angles to provide a secure inputterminal with respect to customers at adjacent dispensers. If however,the surface receiving the projected keyboard is not polarized, thesystem can be configured to randomly change the layout of the projectedinput device to provide further security to those who may be passing by.

In addition to projecting a keypad for data entry for paymentinformation, the laser system can also project options to begin orinitiate the transaction (such as payoutside/inside/Credit/Debit/Withdrawal/Deposit), etc. In the example ofa fuel dispenser, the laser system could project the grade selectionbuttons for selection by the customer. The pump stop, handicap, callattendant, programmable pump preset button, etc. could then be presentedessentially acting as a substitute for all existing keypads and/or touchscreen menus. The use of a virtual keyboard or input device reduces oreliminates the need for the customer to have to physically touch thedispenser screens or keypads.

Examples of virtual input devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.7,084,857 to Lieberman et al., entitled “Virtual Data Entry Device andMethod for Input of Alphanumeric and Other Data,” U.S. Pat. No.6,690,357 to Dunton et al., entitled “Input Device Using ScanningSensors,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,422 to Rafii et al., entitled “Method andApparatus for Entering Data Using a Virtual Input Device,” the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.Additionally, suitable virtual input devices also include virtual inputdevices manufactured by Virtual Devices, Inc. of Allison Park, Pa. andLumio, Inc. of Menlo Park, Calif.

While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention have beendescribed above, it should be understood that any and all equivalentrealizations of the present invention are included within the scope andspirit thereof. The embodiments depicted are presented by way of exampleonly and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention.Thus, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in this artthat the present invention is not limited to these embodiments sincemodifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any andall such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fallwithin the scope and spirit thereof.

1. A fuel dispenser comprising: a. a housing; b. a fuel dispensingapparatus mounted within said housing, said fuel dispensing apparatushaving control electronics; c. at least one touch display mounted insaid housing and operatively coupled to said control electronics, saidtouch display being configured to allow a user to make selections forconducting a transaction; and d. a nozzle operatively coupled to saidfuel dispensing apparatus, wherein said fuel dispenser is configured todetect the presence of a user without the user physically touching thefuel dispenser, and in response to detecting the presence of the user,said fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics activates said atleast one display.
 2. The fuel dispenser of claim 1, said fuel dispenserbeing further configured to present instructions to the user forcarrying out a transaction at said fuel dispenser when said userphysically contacts said fuel dispenser.
 3. The fuel dispenser of claim2, wherein said transaction is a fuel dispensing transaction.
 4. Thefuel dispenser of claim 2, wherein said transaction is a purchase from aconvenience store associated with said fuel dispenser.
 5. The fueldispenser of claim 2, where said transaction is a purchase from anunrelated internet site.
 6. The fuel dispenser of claim 1, wherein saidat least one touch display is a capacitive type touch display that isconfigured to detect the presence of a user.
 7. The fuel dispenser ofclaim 1, further comprising a camera for detecting the presence of theuser.
 8. The fuel dispenser of claim 7, wherein said touch display is acapacitive-type touch display configured to assist in detecting thepresence of the user.
 9. A fuel dispenser comprising: a. a housing; b. afuel dispensing apparatus mounted within said housing, said fueldispensing apparatus having control electronics; c. at least one touchdisplay mounted in said housing and operatively coupled to said controlelectronics, said touch display being configured to allow a user to makeselections for conducting a transaction; d. a nozzle operatively coupledto said fuel dispensing apparatus; and e. a camera operatively coupledto said fuel dispensing apparatus control electronics, wherein at leastone of said camera and said touch display is configured to detect thepresence of a user without the user physically touching the fueldispenser, and in response to detecting the presence of the user, saidfuel dispenser control electronics activates said at least one displayso that instructions are presented to the user.
 10. The fuel dispenserof claim 9, wherein said instructions are for completing a fueldispensing transaction.
 11. The fuel dispenser of claim 9, wherein saidinstructions are for completing a purchase from a convenience storeassociated with said fuel dispenser.
 12. The fuel dispenser of claim 9,wherein said dispenser apparatus control electronics are configured todeactivate said at least one display once the user is no longer detectedin the proximity of said fuel dispenser.
 13. The fuel dispenser of claim9, further comprising a detector operatively coupled to said fueldispenser apparatus control electronics and configured to detect if saidnozzle is brought into close proximity to said at least one touchdisplay.
 14. The fuel dispenser of claim 13, wherein said fuel dispenserblanks out said at least one touch display when said nozzle is detectedin close proximity to said at least one touch display so as to preventthe user from touching said at least one touch display with said nozzle.15. A method of operating a fuel dispenser, said method comprising thesteps of: a. detecting the presence of a customer who has not physicallytouched said fuel dispenser; b. monitoring at least one input devicecoupled to said fuel dispenser; c. turning on a backlight of a displaythat is part of said fuel dispenser when the user engages said fueldispenser; d. capturing an input from said at least one input device; e.determining an identity of the user based on said input; and f.displaying data on said display that is specifically configured based onthe identity of the user.
 16. The method of operating a fuel dispenserof claim 15, wherein the step of capturing input comprises capturing avideo image of the user.
 17. The method of operating a fuel dispenser ofclaim 15, wherein the step of determining an identity of the userfurther comprises using a facial recognition program to determine theidentity of the user.
 18. The method of operating a fuel dispenser ofclaim 16, further comprising the step of authorizing a transaction basedon the determination of the identity of the user.
 19. The method ofoperating a fuel dispenser of claim 16, wherein the step of determiningan identity of the user further comprises using video recognitiontechniques to identify specific characteristics of the user, which areused in specifically configuring the data displayed on said dispenserdisplay.
 20. The method of operating a fuel dispenser of claim 15,wherein the step of displaying data specifically configured based on theidentity of the user further comprises displaying reminders for futureevents.